Twenty years ago, my husband, Mike, suffered with end stage renal failure. Dialysis, extreme weakness, and special diet were part of our everyday lives. It was a difficult time for us and our three young children.
As we explored the possibility of a kidney transplant, we found that the wait for a compatible kidney could be very long. We decided that this is what we wanted to do no matter how long it took.
Mike and I went to Birmingham, AL for him to be evaluated for a transplant. While we were there, I was tested to see if perhaps I could be a donor.
The next week I received a call at home that I was an almost perfect match. We scheduled another trip to AL for me to be evaluated. I went through several days of tests and was accepted as a suitable donor. We were told that the odds of a husband and wife matching were 1 in 1 million.
On June 24,1992, my kidney became Mike's kidney.
It has been twenty years since that day. June 24 has always been a special day to me. Twenty years is a great anniversary.
Since the transplant, Mike has been able to work. He is pastor of Union Baptist Church. He has been involved in mission work in many countries on five continents. He is also on the board of trustees for HeartCry Mission Society.
Our three children Ben, Melissa, and Jason are grown and happily married. We have four grandsons.
We hope that our story will be an inspiration and encouragement to those who find themselves facing a transplant.
God has been good to us.
